Suspended rack



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

Patented July 26, 1892.

SUSPENDED RACK.

J. J. NEWBERRY.

(No Model.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J. J. NEWBBRRY. SUSPENDED RACK.

N0.479,523. PatentedJuly 26,1892.

' LII/fles .Ilka/amy UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

JAMES J. NEVBERRY, OF ROUND MOUNTAIN, ALABAMA.

SUSPENDED RACK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 479,523, dated July 26, 1892.

Application filed November 30, 1891. Serial No. 413.539. (No model.)

T0 all whom, it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, J AMES J. NEWBERRY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Round Mountain, in the county of Cherokee and State of Alabama, have invented a new and useful Suspended Rack, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to counters and shelves of that class which are suspended in such manner that when not in use they can be drawn up against or near Vthe ceiling and out of the way; and the object of the same is to effect certain improvements in devices of this character and in the means and mechanism for operating and suspending the same.

To this end the invention consists in the construction hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and as illustrated on the two accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein- Figure l is a section of a building, showing the general arrangement of my device with the rack partly raised. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the entire device, taken through the center of the length of the rack. Fig. 3 is a cross-section of the shaft, taken through its ratchet and showing the weighted pawl in elevation. Fig. et is a perspective detail of the pawl-operating devices in position to hold it raised. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a modification.

Referring to the said drawings, B is a building having a store on its lower floor. R is a rack in this store, which is suspended by ropes that pass upwardly through the ceiling into a room above. In said room is located a main shaft S, having an operating-drum D, and held in position by a pawl P.

O designates the paWl-operating mechanism, and W are Athe wheels or pulleys over which the ropes pass, all these parts being of the following specific construction: The rack R preferably comprises four corner-posts l, connected by slatted bottom 2, sides 3, and ends 4, the uppermost bar 5 of each end being somewhat longer than the remaining bars. as seen. 6 is an additional side bar carried by.this longer bar, and 7 is a rail above the side bar 6, the construction being such that the rack is caused to be larger at its top. This rack is useful for holding hats or other light articles, especially such as it is desirable shall be kept away from the rats and other animals which sometimes infcst the store, and, if desired, the construction of the rack may be varied considerably without departing from the spirit of my invention. The main shaft S stands horizontal and is journaled in bearings 10, the drum D being mounted on the shaft at any suitable point. Ropes il extend from the corners of the rack R upwardly through the ceiling of the store, Where they pass over wheels l2, then inwardly and around the shaft in the same direction, preferably making one or more complete turns around the saine, thence upwardly over wheels W, and terminate in weights 13.

The drum D is preferably somewhat larger than the shaft S and has end flanges 14, and l5 is an operating-rope secured at its ends to said flanges, making several convolutions or turns around the drum and having its looped center passed through the ceiling of the store and hanging within reach of the operator standing on the floor. Pivoted to a snitable upright 20 is the pawl P, which comprises a body 2l, having a sharp corner 22, adapted to engage a ratchet 23 on the shaft, and from said body projects an extension 24, carrying a weight 25 at its outer end. The pawl-operating mechanism O comprises an upright rod 30, having a handle 3l at its lower end, its body passing through the ceiling, being mounted in bearings 32 and having a cranked upper end From said crank extends a link 34, which is pivotally connected with the lower end lof a bell-crank lever 35, that is pivoted at its angle to said upright 2O and whose other end is connected by a link or chain 37 with an eye 38 in the pawl.

In use the rack is filled with hats or whatever it is desired shall be placed therein, the aggregate weight of all the weights being about sufficient to counterbalance the rack at this time. The operating-rope is then drawn in the proper direction to turn the drum and the shaft, so as to raise the rack up against or nearly against the ceiling, the corner of the pawl moving over the ratchet and preventing a retrograde movement of the rack. When it is desired to have access to the latter, the pawl-operating devices are moved so as to raise the pawl, and then the operatinglower the rack to within easy reach of both the dealer and the customer.

I do not limit myself to the exact details of construction, as considerable change therein may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention. Amongthe changes possible I have shown in Fig. 5 a modification of my device adapting it for use in buildings wherein the upper room, which contains the shaft S, is the garret or is extremely low, so that there is not enough vertical space for the movements of the weights 13 of Figspl and 2. In this case I secure tracks or rods` R at an inclined position beneath the roof:`

R", and on these tracks I mount lgrooved wheels W', which are weighted, as seen at 13. 'lhe ropes 11, after leading upwardly from the shaft S and passing outwardlyl over the wheelsW, are connected with the journals of the wheels W', and as the rack `R is raised these weighted Wheels travel down the tracks toward the eaves, thereby gaining a much greater space for movement than would be afforded by the garret at its highest point.

.It will be obvious that the device shown and described will be useful for many other purposes than those hereinbefore set forth.

What is claimed as new isl. The combination, with a horizontal shaft, means for turning the same, a suspended rack, and ropes leading therefrom to and around the shaft, of a ratchet on the shaft, a weighted and pivoted pawl engaging said ratchet, a bell-crank lever pivoted at its angle above said pawl, one end being connected therewith, an upright rod having a handle at its lower end and a crank at its upper end, its body being mounted-in bearings, and a link connecting said crank with the other end of said bell-crank lever, as and for the purpose set forth. y

2. The combination, with a rack located in a store, a horizontal shaft mounted in bearings in the room above, ropes leading from said rack through the ceiling and around the shaft, connterbalancing-weights on the other .ends of said ropes, and an operating-rope leading to the store for turning the shaft, of a ratchet on the shaft, a pawl engaging the same, a bell-crank lever having one end connected to said pawl, a vertical ro d mounted in bearings and having a handle at its lower end in the store and a crank at its upper end,

and a link connecting 'this crank with the 'other end of the bell-crank lever, as and for Athe purpose hercinbefore set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aiixed my signature in -the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES J. NEWBERRY. fitnessesz H. W. CARBON, J. J. B. MCELRATH. 

